Aussie advisers seize Chinese opportunity

The AIOFP has led a delegation of Australian financial advisers and product providers to Shanghai to conduct meetings with high net worth Chinese investors.

An initiative of the non-aligned advice lobby group and the Asia Pacific Stock Exchange (APX) - owned by Australian-domiciled AIMS Financial Group - the inaugural Australian Food, Wine and Investment Expo provided opportunities for Chinese investors to learn more about Australian financial services.

The Chinese investors attending the expo include high net worth individuals with a minimum of $5 million to invest in Australia.

Also in attendance were Chinese companies, regulators, government officials, media representatives - including ifa - and professional advisers.

Commenting on the event, AIOFP executive director Peter Johnston said, "Our 3,000 member advisers see tremendous opportunities in the opening up and development of capital markets and trade between Australia and China. This initiative is an important step and an investment in building up mutual knowledge, comfort and corporate interaction.”

Members of the AIOFP showcased their financial advice services in addition to a number of formal sponsorships from Australian companies including MLC, Contango Asset Management, DomaCom and the Australian Foundation Investment Company (AFIC).

George Wang, CEO of AIMS and deputy chairman of APX, said this was a significant opportunity to create links between Australian and Chinese businesses and finance.

“We are particularly excited to see many Chinese companies pursuing a listing on APX and, from an Australian perspective, [to] see this group of influential financial advisers make new contacts in China and increase their familiarity with investment opportunities and China business and markets," Mr Wang said.

The expo comes as the government has announced a "surprise suspension" of the Significant Investor Visa program.